I'll
start by saying, it will be weird typing in Liberty box scores this
season without having the names Russo or Zak in there for the first time
since the program went varsity in 2007-2008. Yes, the Russo brothers
are gone, and graduation took three other 20+ winners as well, but the
Lions will be looking to reload in 2016, as opposed to rebuilding.

There
is a talented and experienced group returning for Liberty in the upper
half of the lineup, with six previous letter winners in the fold. The
senior foursome of Jeremy Bollard (3rd D21), Tyler Kalmowitz, Jerald
Goodman, and Jared Dizenzo combined for 102 wins in 2015, and all are
capable of hitting the 30+ win mark this season. Another senior, Chris
Pondish, missed all of 2015 with an injury. He was a 13-bout winner in
2014 and provides even more strength for Liberty in the uppers. Keep an
eye on sophomore Marc Palmieri at 160, who won 12 bouts as frosh at 170
despite weighing 155.

The Russo brothers will be tough to replace
in the lower half of the lineup, but there is strong confidence in the
group that is returning. Nick Pellegrino, a 23-match winner, and Niles
Jackson, 16 wins, will provide the senior leadership. Sophomore Josh
Bollard will be looking to have a breakthrough year at 106 after
wrestling at an undersized 91-pounds at the weight as a freshman.

With
a strong group returning, Liberty will be looking to make a successful
defense of their B-South Championship. They have a key early season
divisional date at home against Manchester on December 23rd, and then
the B-South showdown at Pt. Boro on January 13th. Other interesting
dates on the schedule include their annual battle with crosstown rival
Jackson Memorial on January 15th, and a meeting with Raritan on January
9th whom they split a pair of duals with last season. The road through
the Sectionals is BRUTAL as a CJG4 that already included Jackson
Memorial and Brick Twp, adds Brick Memorial and Long Branch for 2016.